He definitely does not go as far behind the vertical here which is good, despite the head tossing. I'd really, really work on impulsion and getting him relaxed and foreward.

What really rounds my horses back is doing trot-halt-back-trot transitions. Backing him up will rock him onto the hindquarters and hopefully keep him that way if repeated. Once again, someone more experienced can give you an in depth critique, but for now I'd do either lot's of lunging without side reins, or lot's of riding him the way you were in the video.

Also, were your hands low to move him into the bridle? IME this does the opposite.

I also forgot to mention (and you may hear in the background) There were people on the arena roof fixing some leaks so he was a little antsy about that. I believe in working through all sorts of stuff though because you never know what distractions are gong to be at a show. The last show I volunteered at, most of the people got lower than usual scores because they were harvesting with machinery in a field only about 50 feet away and the horses were really panicking... I think it's better to ride him during adversity than to shield him from it.

Not a Trainer in ANY way- But I'll say what I saw =)
Your look VERY tense in your shoulders/back- This is causing your posting to look jarred. And honestly I coundt get over your arms lol but you knew that was wrong- By fixing your arms and becoming less tense He will start to move more effortlessly-Freely if you will
If we're looking for hunter ring action for Chinny. He'll need to find a cadence- My honset thought was he was all over the place- He needs to engage his hind more
Overall, I like him! He has a lot of potential! It just takes time to melt our minds to our horses- And find that solid place in our saddles.

All I see is constant, constant contact. You're back is arching so much at the trot that you actually appear to be tipping forward and pulling down on the reins oddly. You might want to try a clear "hold and release" with your horse. I see him several times quickly dip down and in, but he's just met with the continuing force of your hands. Then you can see him resort to throwing his head up, since that's the release he's been able to find.

Before the 1:09 mark, I was able to count 10 noticeable times when he tried to dip in and was met with no release - your hands just kept pulling through your hips. And from that point on you can clearly see him start to raise his head higher, and higher.

A few questions, why do you trot on before you have a connection? Or change rein or do anything really? You need to just get him connected, going left in the walk, and then try something new. Aimlessly riding around is not going to fix anything. Have a goal and don't move on until you achieve it and do everything the highest quality possible.
The other thing I would suggest is buying a bucking strap, putting it on your saddle and then holding onto it with both hands, all the time. Your hands are far too busy and pulling all the time. Get a steady hand position and then ride forward forward forward until he comes to meet it. Other exercises are leg yields and turns on the forehand.

Hi again! I must give you huge props for your bravery in posting your vids for strangers to critique. What a true commitment to your chosen sport!
Wow, he is a cutie pie! My first impression is that you have lovely posture, and looong legs! As far as your size, I'm also a woman of substance, and it didnt stop me from showing at Gladstone and Devon.
But maybe your saddle isn't doing you any favors, causing you to sit in a bit of a chair seat, with your legs more forward than what would be most ideal and effective, and causing you to land more heavily in the saddle than what is ideal. ( now you'll say that you're a longtime chairseater, and this is the best you've felt...ok, we can work with that too!) How do you think Cinny goes in this saddle?

Barring needing a new saddle, try to sit more on your seatbones than your buttocks, and at the halt, pull your leg away from your horse's side by grabbing the back of your thighs (hamstring) and pulling out and away, getting your knees to face forwards, thus getting your leg more underneath you. Also, a seat riser might help you sit more balanced, as long as it doesn't mess up the saddle fit.
More later.

I think the horse needs to be ridden really forward , both at a very forward walk which can be where you work for the quality connection that anebel mentioned, and from time to time just releaseing the reins and asking him to really stretch out and MOVE!

But, to help him do this, you will have to improve your ability to move with him, which means less tension and bracing in your body.
You push too hard down /forward into the stirrup and your leg looks locked, as doe the elbows (which you are aware of) . It is the locked elbows and legs that make it impossible to have a quiet hand. One cannot just "make your hand quieter". You have to make your body softer and more following , in order for your hand to thus be steadier.

So, the slow , walk work is for you to really relax your body,. Get your weight onto your seatbones, feel your pelvis following the saddle and moving "through" you hands, which are like a steady gate through which your pelvis moves back and forth. The more you "let" Cinny move you the better it will feel to him.

And the other one, where you just ask him to trot forward, not worrying about direction, connection or anything, just that he stretch out and push forward is to keep him from becoming more and more contracted back behind the bit and leg. To shake off the stress and just let loose a bit.

Hi again! I must give you huge props for your bravery in posting your vids for strangers to critique. What a true commitment to your chosen sport!
Wow, he is a cutie pie! My first impression is that you have lovely posture, and looong legs! As far as your size, I'm also a woman of substance, and it didnt stop me from showing at Gladstone and Devon.
But maybe your saddle isn't doing you any favors, causing you to sit in a bit of a chair seat, with your legs more forward than what would be most ideal and effective, and causing you to land more heavily in the saddle than what is ideal. ( now you'll say that you're a longtime chairseater, and this is the best you've felt...ok, we can work with that too!) How do you think Cinny goes in this saddle?

Barring needing a new saddle, try to sit more on your seatbones than your buttocks, and at the halt, pull your leg away from your horse's side by grabbing the back of your thighs (hamstring) and pulling out and away, getting your knees to face forwards, thus getting your leg more underneath you. Also, a seat riser might help you sit more balanced, as long as it doesn't mess up the saddle fit.
More later.

I agree with this totally. It is possible that the saddle is very much contributing to putting you into the chair, and making it hard for you. I would also wonder how you'd do with stirrups one hole shorter.

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